The purpose of this study is to develop and execute group counselling program to improve body image·peer relationship of elementary school senior girls with obesity and verify its effects. Study problems established by this study purpose are as the f...
The purpose of this study is to develop and execute group counselling program to improve body image·peer relationship of elementary school senior girls with obesity and verify its effects. Study problems established by this study purpose are as the following. First, how should body image·peer relationship improvement REBT group counselling program for elementary school obese girls be organized? Second, does body image·peer relationship improvement REBT group counselling program improve body image of elementary school senior girls? Third, does body image·peer relationship improvement REBT group counselling program improve peer relationship of elementary school senior girls? The subject of study is composed of ten students in the experimental group and elevem students in the control group. The study group consists of 5th and 6th grade elementary school students located in Daegu, South Korea.
The development process of body image·peer relationship improvement REBT group counseling program for elementary school obese girls goes through investigation, analysis, design, draft and application. After requirement survey of desired contents, it is drafted with reference to look-ism cognition improvement education program of teenage boys (Ministry of Health and Welfare, 2004), recognition behavior group counselling program (Chun Mi-hee, 2003; Lim Kyoung-mi, 2007), peer relationship advancement program (Jang Hyun-il, 2003), and the interpersonal relations improvement REBT group counselling program (Mun Jin-kyoung, 2005). The final program was completed through consultation and pre-application of guidance professor and field expert.
For ex ante-ex post examination tool, we used body image scale developed by Mendelson, Andrew, Balfour(1997) which was translated by Lee Jung-suk(2001), and peer relationship scale of Ladd and Kochenderfer, Coleman(1996). It was also adapted by Yoo Sun(1999) and used by Lee Ho-sun(2001). For data arrangement, the statistic result was analyzed by using mixed ANOVA in SPSS/Window 12.0, and group member's session experience report. The counselor's investigation was analyzed and presented to complement the limits of reliability that quantitative results have.
To sum up, the main results acquired from this study are as follows. First, the body image change of experimental group participating in body image·peer relationship improvement REBT group counseling program showed a more positive improvement than that of control group. Second, the peer relationship change of experimental group participating in body image·peer relationship improvement REBT group counselling program showed a more positive improvement than that of control group. Analyzing per subordinate factor of peer relationship, it showed similar difference in acknowledgement and conflict factor.
For the first implication, this study changes irrational thought of elementary school obese girls about appearance and obesity. It makes them not focus on appearance and weight. Second, REBT concept was composed more appropriately for elementary school levels than the preexistent REBT group counseling program. Therefore, it presented useful REBT steps and methods to apply to elementary school students. Third, it will be good material for a program preventing eating disorders of obese girls.
A few proposals should be made for further study based on the study results and discussions. The first of the psychological problem of obese students is solved where a program should be developed to maintain healthy weight effectively with a long perspective to solve the physical problem.
Secondly, because the attitude of parents highly affects body image of obese student, it is necessary to develop a group counseling program in linkage with parents. This way, children will have positive thoughts and seek ways to continue the affirmative effect of the program for a long time with continuous improvements.